The Ambassador is fresh off his new CD release “Stop the Funeral” which debuted #6 on Billboard in its first week.  But before the release it was quite a journey back to restore his personal life and Marriage.  Tune into the video below.

We’re down to the top 10 contestants with 3 of the contestants going for the final tenth spot.  Look at the video below to hear the positive things the eliminated contestants had to say.
  

Hello Fear, the latest release from Kirk Franklin, returns to the top of the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also sits at #18 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #79 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Earnest Pugh‘s Earnestly Yours moves to the #2 position this week. Mary Mary‘s Something Big comes in at the #3 position this week, while Times of Refreshing from Pastor James R. Adams & The Abounding Life C.O.G.I.C. Mass Choir & Musicians leaps to the #4 position this week. The famed WOW Gospel 2011 compilation rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, The Ambassador‘s new effort Stop The Funeral debuts at #6 while William McDowell‘s release As We Worship: Live moves five places to #11.

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its fourteenth week at the top of the radio charts. “Over & Over” from Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton holds to the #2 spot while “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed comes in at the #3 position. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” moves to the #4 spot while “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Erica Campbell of Mary Mary stopped by Good Morning America to premiere their new music video for the song “Survive.”  On the show Erica announces that she’s expecting her third child with husband producer Warryn Campbell. 

Mary Mary recently announced a new partnership with American Red Cross to help and encourage victims of tragedy. 

Congratulations to Erica and Warryn Campbell!

Listen to Kim Burrell as she talks about being the vocal coach on the hit show Sunday’s Best.  Kim gives the contestants some advice and shares her hopes for Gospel music.

Reverend Al Sharpton is reportedly being lined up to host a nightly talk show on cable channel MSNBC.

Sharpton has guest-hosted MSNBC’s 6pm hour for the last two weeks while regular anchor Cenk Uygur was on vacation, but insiders now tell TV Newser that Sharpton is being considered by network executives to permanently take over the slot. The source also indicated that Uygur will continue to appear on MSNBC in a new capacity should he be replaced by Sharpton.

A message on Uygur’s website indicated that he is scheduled to return to the air for this evening’s edition of MSNBC Live.

Former presidential candidate Sharpton previously fronted the Spike TV reality series I Hate My Job and has made frequent appearances on The Daily Show and Real Time with Bill Maher.

Sharpton also helms the nationally syndicated radio program Keeping it Real from New York City.

Earlier this year, Sharpton revealed that he turned down an offer to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars.

The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce the signing of the Grammy winning group, Sounds Of Blackness.

The debut single “Fly Again” from their self-titled CD, “The Sounds Of Blackness” will be Impacting Airplay August 1 & 2

“Fly Again” features the phenomenal vocals of Jamecia Bennett, daughter of Ann Nesby, mother of Paris Bennett, American Idol Season 5, Top 5 Contestant.

The release of the full length CD “The Sounds Of Blackness” consequently coincides with the 20th anniversary celebration of the of their classic CD “Optimistic” and 40th Anniversary of the group’s inception.

Gary Hines, Music Director / Producer Sounds of Blackness states, “Sounds of Blackness and I are extraordinarily overjoyed to have the honor of signing with Malaco! Sounds of Blackness and Malaco have a lot in common – bringing Black Music to all people, celebrating four decades of existence, and remaining true to our roots! Sounds of Blackness dedicates “FLY AGAIN” the 1st Single from our forthcoming new CD, to Malaco and to all of the people of the cities across America and around the world, who have recently suffered unfathomable devastation. Together we will all soon be able to “FLY AGAIN!”

Tommy Couch Jr, Vice President, Malaco, Inc, states, “We are so exited to work with a group of this magnitude. The Sounds Of Blackness are still about the music and the message while maintaining their unique creativity.”

Lionel Ridenour, Executive Director – Urban Division states, “Fly Again” is a great record. Radio stations across the country should just play it!”

“Much like Bebe & Cece Winans, The Sounds Of Blackness was extremely instrumental in crossing Gospel / Inspirational music over into the mainstream in the 90’s and It is great to see them return stronger than ever.” states, D.A. Johnson, Executive Director – Gospel Division.

Preacher, Gospel Singer, and Clark Sister Dorinda Clark-Cole revealed via facebook and twitter her new album cover. The new CD cover looks nice! What do you’ll think?  Also, check out the photo shoot for her new album below.

Music World Gospel entered into an exclusive recording agreement with BET Networks and its premiere brand, Sunday Best, the award-winning weekly gospel music competition program. The agreement will include the release of debut albums for the show’s third and fourth season winners and other music and entertainment product releases featuring “best of” compilations and a variety of specialty brand projects. 

The first release scheduled under the new agreement is Sunday Best’s third season winner, Le’Andria Johnson. Her debut project, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson will be released on September 6, 2011. Le’Andria’s new single, “Jesus,” produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Chuck Harmony (Rihanna, Fantasia, Chrisette Michele), will impact radio on July 25.

“Securing BET and the Sunday Best brand is an important and monumental milestone for the label,” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “BET is one of the largest brands in black America. We look forward to partnering with BET and exploring the many marketing opportunities to further develop and bring greater exposure to the Sunday Best brand. Sunday Best is very important to the faith-based and African American communities. As we prepare for our first release under the new deal, the Music World team is extremely excited about Le’Andria Johnson. She is one of a few artists who come along in a lifetime who possess that special uniqueness. Beyond her vocal talent and skills, she has that raw and rare stage presence that illuminates power and grace.”

“BET Networks is thrilled to work with the Music World Gospel label in continuing to build our Sunday Best brand as the leading platform for the discovery and launch of extraordinary gospel music talent including our Sunday Best Season 3 winner, Le’Andria Johnson” said Loretha Jones, President of Original Programming, BET. “We believe the new relationship with Music World Gospel and Mathew Knowles will further the vision to share our ‘Sunday Best’ with the world.”

In June 2010, Le’Andria was crowned Sunday Best winner, with over 2 million votes from the network’s faithful viewers. Each week she wowed viewers and captured the hearts of millions, including Sunday Best’s host Kirk Franklin, judges, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, and Yolanda Adams and celebrity mentor Kim Burrell. For the finale, she performed a medley of three songs, “I Love the Lord,” “He Was There,” and “In the Midst of It All.”

Le’Andria is a living testimony of faith. Prior to being crowned Sunday Best, Le’Andria auditioned for the gospel competition a day before she lost her home in foreclosure. Deciding to let nothing stand in her way, the then Sunday Best hopeful traveled to New Orleans and auditioned in flip flops and gym socks, she was almost eliminated because she did not look the part, according to show judge Erica Campbell [Mary Mary]. After her rendition of “This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made,” she was on her way to fulfilling her life-long dream of a career in music.

Le’Andria is an accomplished songwriter, producer and praise and worship leader at her hometown church, HQ Ministries in Altamonte Springs, Florida. A self-taught musician, she began singing at the age of two. She continues her commitment to the music ministry of her hometown church. Le’Andria currently resides in Orlando, Florida and is a single mother of three children.

Did you miss the first episode of Sunday’s Best?  Season 4 kicked off with a bang last Sunday!  Check out the video of the Top 10 Contestants.  The remaining top 10 videos will be released soon.

The top ten showcased this week along with songs performed are:
1. Toneisha Harris-”Here I Am To Worship”
2. Michael Washington-”Great is Your Mercy”
3. Andrea Helms-”Because Of Who You Are”
4. Chase Stancle-”Running Back To You”
5. Amber Bullock-”We Must Praise”
6. Carlington Roberts-”Lord I Lift Your Name On High”
7. Shandandolan Reynolds-”Joyful Joyful”
8. Michael Pugh-”I Won’t Complain”
9. LaTrice Smith-”Walk With Me”
10. Rikki Valentino LaFontaine-”I Need Thee”